Kapu (7.10)

[Agatha]

I think that, although it looks like Thomas is paddling straight out to sea, he knows which direction Oahu is in and is headed for it. It's hard for us to see that because the channel between the two islands is so wide that Oahu isn't visible from Kapu.

JMHO

[Carol the Dabbler]

In reading James' notes on this episode I went to the wiki page for Niihau, the privately owned Hawaiian island. It has a small number of native Hawaiian's living there and to quote the wiki article "is generally off-limits to all but relatives of the island's owners, U.S. Navy personnel, government officials and invited guests."

Another bit from that wiki page: "There are no telephones on Niʻihau, and no automobiles. The residents are not allowed to own radios, televisions or cell phones...." That's nearly a direct quote from Mano, when Magnum asks him where's the nearest telephone.

BTW, I believe the "wiki" part of Wikipedia is from the Hawaiian word wiki-wiki, meaning quick or quickly. In fact, some people say that wiki-wiki is a loan word from English, when the missionaries would urge the Hawaiians to do things "quickly!"

[Carol the Dabbler]

I think that, although it looks like Thomas is paddling straight out to sea, he knows which direction Oahu is in and is headed for it. It's hard for us to see that because the channel between the two islands is so wide that Oahu isn't visible from Kapu.

Hmm, sorry, but Oahu should be quite visible, provided that one is on the appropriate side of "Kapu." When Magnum was looking out to sea just prior to taking the canoe, I was scanning the horizon for islands, but didn't spot any, though it appeared to be a nice clear day. If anyone DID see anything out there, please let us know.

I have seen Molokai from Oahu, as a definite purple smudge on the horizon. Several web sites assert that the reverse is also possible (and I found no sites that said it wasn't). The Molokai to Oahu distance seems to be around 28 miles, and there are regular canoe races between them. "Kapu" is supposedly situated just off Molokai, at about the same distance from Oahu.

[Agatha]

You're right, of course, Carol. I'm sure I get too caught up in the reality of the story as opposed to REAL reality.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Yes, that was a dramatic moment, wasn't it?

One other point that bugged me throughout the episode: I wish the actors had come to a consensus on how to pronounce the name of the fictitious island -- KAH-poo or kah-POO. The former is all I've ever heard (in the sense of taboo, off limits, etc.), and my Hawaiian dictionary says it's the correct pronunciation.

Of course, if there was such an island, its name might not have come from that word at all. It could have come from some other Hawaiian word, one that was spelled with a long U, which would indeed be pronounced kah-POO. My dictionary doesn't list any such word, but then it's just a pocket dictionary. Besides, the name could have come from an ancient form of a word.

But still, guys -- please pick one!!!

[rubber chicken]

On this week's PBS show History Detectives, a segment of the show was about engine parts that may or may not have come from the Japanese plane that crash landed on Niihau. The Niihau Incident was mentioned on the first page of this Kapu thread.

I was happy to find that History Detectives episodes are available online. Here's the link if you'd like to watch. It's the first segment and is a bit less than 20 minutes long.

[Carol the Dabbler]

... a segment of the show was about engine parts that may or may not have come from the Japanese plane that crash landed on Niihau. The Niihau Incident was mentioned on the first page of this Kapu thread.

Thanks for that link RC. When we finally get a high-speed internet hook-up, I'll be very interested to watch that segment.

The Wikipedia account includes this detail:
"... the pilot [Nishikaichi] ... then shot [Ben] Kanahele [a native Hawaiian] three times: in the groin, stomach, and upper leg. Ben Kanahele then picked Nishikaichi up ..., hurling Nishikaichi into a stone wall."

I once read about this in a book, which concluded with the local version of the moral of the story:
"Never shoot a Hawaiian more than twice -- it makes him very angry."

[Waterbug Blue]

The first time Magnum wakes up and gets treated ... look at the wall/roof construction, where the two pin above the window ... doesn't it REALLY look like a set? The first time that I've noticed that...

[Waterbug Blue]

Stranger still... the question of how high the window is . . . or how small Alealea... jet atch her appearing outside the window, gracefully sitting down on it to climb in onto some handy landing ... one might think all of this is level, noting strange ... but why on earth does she then DISAPPEAR the way she does on the way out??? she must have decided to just as gracefully lie flat on the ground once she got out...

[Braddah Kimo]

"Hawaii back then! Three hotels on Waikiki....the Royal Hawaiian, the Ala Moana and the Surfrider." Not so. The Ala Moana hotel is next to Waikiki in the ala moana area, next to the shopping center. (surprise) It was opened in the year of 1970. The first two major hotels in Waikiki were the Royal Hawaiian and the Moana Hotel.

[Braddah Kimo]

Kapu. One of my favorite eps. ( I won't rate or judge an ep. on any scale, I personally cannot get behind that concept...)
Dick Jensen, a beloved figure here in Hawaii, was known as Hawai'i's Tom Jones to many. His brother, Rocky Ka'iouliokahihikolo'ehu Jensen, is seen in one shot in the b.g., casting a net into the waters... He is Hawai'i's topmost carver. I studied under him and he is a great friend I am honored to know and he is a well respected cultural practitioner.
"....which I think is the primary influence of this episode"
No. The influence if this ep is the age old scenario. A fish out of water. (The general storyline, the plot format exemplified in this ep necessarily should be done by anyone doing a series IN Hawai'i; a haole dealing with a quite foreign Hawaii, even though HE is the foreigner. ). It is rife with possibilities of conflict. drama, hurt and healing. lessons learned. Awakening and insights. It is a necessary tale to be told in so many various forms; Coarse modern man find himself in an "ancient land" learns the ways to a degree of these 'gentle, primal nature people' populating this strange culture he has never seen before, which is wholly foreign to him, BUT! is the heart of the host culture that he happens to be a guest in, even in his home he eventually returns to. It's from time immemorial. Not some harrison ford flick, fer gawds sakes. (As an aside, Magnum appears as a good example of the stereotypical ubiquitous Ugly American encountered around the world in other countries, as he exhibits anger, frustration, disrespect, ignorance, ingratitude, a disproportionate impatience to get outta Dodge, a basic loud pushy bumbling presence, etc., among a people and a setting that at the least he should be treading lightly with and with SOME degree of interest, respectfulness and appreciation for, and maybe a modicum of familiarity with, as it is the kuleana, the duty... of anyone who calls themselves a resident of Hawai'i, to learn of Hawai'i's past, culture, ways, etc.. Instead, he seems like some New yawk or Californica tourist who just fell FOB.)

I don't see the ep as being based on a version of Ni'ihau. It is basically Tom through a time machine. Ni'ihau is privately owned by one concern. haole at that. Kapu is not owned by some big brother presence. Not owned at all. It is as it was.
"I'm astounded that someone owns the island" Well, america thinks it owns Hawai'i and its islands. Moku o Loʻe, a.k.a. coconut island in Kaneohe bay has had a few private owners thru the decades past... Before missionary arrival and the influx of foreigners, Hawaiians had NO concept of land ownership. They knew they were stewards of the 'aina which was an aspect of akua, the Gods, and all aspects of it were revered, sacred, respected, taken care of... Old time kama'aina are very saddened to see the land being wantonly destroyed as it is, and acceleratingly so.

This is one reason it is a fave of mine; it makes one think. It can be the subject of much discussion and debate...

[J.J. Walters]

(As an aside, Magnum appears as a good example of the stereotypical ubiquitous Ugly American encountered around the world in other countries, as he exhibits anger, frustration, disrespect, ignorance, ingratitude, a disproportionate impatience to get outta Dodge, a basic loud pushy bumbling presence, etc., among a people and a setting that at the least he should be treading lightly with and with SOME degree of interest, respectfulness and appreciation for, and maybe a modicum of familiarity with, as it is the kuleana, the duty... of anyone who calls themselves a resident of Hawai'i, to learn of Hawai'i's past, culture, ways, etc.. Instead, he seems like some New yawk or Californica tourist who just fell FOB.)

Well, he was drugged and held against his will. He tried to talk to the Chief and got pretty much nothing but silence. He tried to leave peacefully and they tracked him down and dragged him back to the island. I'd be a little angry and frustrated if that happened to me, especially after I'd saved the life of one of their own. But it all worked out in the end, didn't it? They respected him and he respected them. The Chief even gave him a ride home in his own canoe.

[Braddah Kimo]

'he was drugged and held against his will'
One's will is subjugated when in another land. especially if there may be a threat to the social calm and equanimity or order. If the ali'i consider it best to try heal him and hold him until he is whole, so be it. You don't push and expect things to work as they did in your own society. You are subject to the parameters of the laws of the land you are in.
But it has been a long time... gotta watch it again!

[Croix de Lorraine]

I watched Kapu from my DVD collection, quite a few scenes deleted on the Sleuth version aired last week. I found it odd that there was a scene where Rick brought the Ferrari back to the estate and turned it over to HIggins. Later when he took his cousin to the museum where Higgins was conducting a tour, Rick made a big deal of talking about how he had taken the Ferrari, like HIggins didn't know anything about it. But of course he DID!

Yet he didn't. When Rick drives the car to the estate he tells Higgins that Magnum is working on a case and told him to return it. It's not until later, when they talk in the museum, that he tells Higgins it was just payback for not turning up for dinner.

[Croix de Lorraine]

If the ali'i consider it best to try heal him and hold him until he is whole, so be it.

He wasn't actually being held until he was whole. If you review the episode you'll see the motives were quite different.